HISTORICAL

AFFAIRS.

ENGLAND. [277.]

The hoftile manifefto of the Spanish ambaffador was delivered to Ld Weymouth on the 16th of June [316.]; the manifefto was next day prefented to both Houfes of Parliament; and letters of marque and reprifal were ordered to be iffued, by an order of council dated the 18th ;- of which we give the preamble, viz. "Whereas the ambaffador of the King of Spain has, by order of his court, delivered to Ld Vifc. Weymouth a paper, in which it is declared, That his Catholic Majefty intends to have recourfe to arms, under the groundless pretence of obtaining reparation for injuries fuppofed to have been received; and whereas the faid ambaffador has received orders to retire from this kingdom without taking leave his Majefty, being determined to take fuch meafures as are neceffary for vindicating the honour of his crown, is pleafed, by and with the advice of his privy council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, That general reprifals be granted against the flips, goods, and fubjects of the King of Spain, fo that as well his Majefty's fleet and fhips, as alfo all other fhips and veffels that fhall be commiffioned by letters of marque or general reprifals, or otherwife, by his Majefty's commiffioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, fhall and may lawfully feize all thips, veffels, and goods, belonging to the King of Spain, or his fubjects, or others inhabiting within any of the territories of the King of Spain, and bring the fame to judgement in any of the courts of admiralty within his Majefty's dominions."Open hoatilities between G. Britain and France did not begin fo foon last year after the delivery of the French refcript to the Briith miniftry [40. 385.]

On Sunday morning, June 20. the Spanish ambalador and his lady fet out from their houfe in Great-George Street, Weftminfter, and next day imbarked, at Dover, in the James paffage yacht, for CaJais. His Excellency, on his departure, was faluted by the cannon of the caftle and forts.

Extraordinary exertions were speedily made for obtaining feamen. Many volunteers came in; and the river was lined with troops on both fides during the imprefs, to prevent the feape of any feaAnun. At Neweattle, Shields, and Sau

derland, a great number of keelmen were impreffed, June 25. and not the leaft regard paid to protections. By the returns made to the admiralty, the following numbers were procured by the firft fweep in England, befides thofe procured in Scotland and Ireland, viz. London 517, the Thames to the fea 200, Ipswich 46, Harwich 30, Lynn 126, Yarmouth 370, Hull 420, Newcastle 376, Whitehaven 382, Liverpool 442, Lancaster 142, Chefter 96, Bristol 640, ports on the north and fouth coafts on the Bristol channel 382, the ports of Cornwall 380, Ply. mouth 180, Exeter, &c. 390, Bridport, Pool, Weymouth, &c. 500, Spithead and Portsmouth 200, ports from thence to Margate 760; in all 6579.— [P.S.] Orders came to Newcastle, by exprefs, July 2. for the discharge of all the keelmen and pilots impreffed from protections.

All the large fhips in the river were contracted for by government, June 18. in order to be fitted up as armed fhips to. convoy the fhips from London to Elfnore, Ireland, Liverpool, and Plymouth, in the room of frigates.

On the 26th of June was fent to the custom-houfe, London, a general imbargo to be laid on all the outwardbound fhipping: [P. S.] but in the beginning of July the merchants received a letter from government, " by order of the privy council," which contained the following claufe: "All Spanish fhips, now lying in any of the ports of this kingdom, may have passports on applying for them."

At a general court of the Eaft-India company, June 23. three refolutions were unanimously agreed to, viz. “ That this court do forthwith offer bounty of three guineas each to the firft 2000 able feamen, two guineas each to the first 2000 ordinary feamen, and one guinea and a half each to the first 2000 able-bodied landmen, who fhall voluntarily enter themselves to ferve on board! his Majefty's fleet, from and after this! 23d day of June; and that the faid re-i fpeclive bounties be paid over and above all other bounties whatfoever, and without fee or deduction. 2. That this compa-" ny, at their own expence, and with all poffible difpatch, do cause to be built, three thips of war, of feventy-four guri each, with mafs and yards, to be delivered to fuch officer as his Majefty fhall, appoint to receive the fame. 3. That a

Committee

court-day.

committee be appointed to prepare and draw up an humble addrefs to his Majefty, to express our duty and affection, and to convey these refolutions to the throne."-As by reafon of a by-law thefe tefolutions could not be carried into fuch speedy execution as the withes of the company and the urgency of the cafe required, the members of the court agreed, at their own risk, to carry them into im mediate execution, and to wait the indemnity of a future general court;which was accordingly appointed to meet on the 30th.

At the general court, June 30. Mr Crichton objected to the refolution for granting bounties, as contrary to a claufe in an act lately made, which forbids the company to employ their money, after having fatisfied the expences of their fervants, troops, &c. and paid their dividend, (not to exceed eight per cent. per ann.), to any purpofes what foever, as the remainder was to be difpofed of as could be agreed on between the company and government: adding, that no individuals could fupply the King with gifts of fhips or money without the concurrence of parliament: it was unconftitutional, and might endanger the liberty of the people. He highly difcommended the hurry in which the former court had proceeded in voting money and hips, as there would have been time enough to have applied to parliament to accept of their offers. The queftion being put, was however carried in the affirmative. -The motion for building the three fhips was likewife debated; but, on the queftion being put, it carried likewife in the affirmative; as did alfo that for addreffing the King.

A royal proclamation was iffued, of date June 25. for granting the diftribution of prizes during the prefent hoftilities, fi milar to the proclamations formerly if fued on like occafions. [40. 562.].

At a court of common council of the city of London, held June 22. a motion was made, and carried, That an humble addrefs be prefented to his Majefty on the prefent alarming and critical fitua. tion of public affairs; and a committee was appointed to draw it up. A draught of an addrefs having been prepared, and a motion made for prefenting it, the motion was, after a long debate, negatived upon the previous queftion; and the addrefs was recommitted. A motion was then made to give bounties to volantier feamen, but was adjourned till next

- At the next court, the committee gave in an addrefs; on which great debates arifing, a motion was made, and feconded, That the refolution of the laft court for prefenting an addrefs to his Majefty be refcinded; and was refolved in the affirmative; 12 aldermen, and 80 commoners, befides the two tellers, againft 7 aldermen, and 59 commoners, befides the two tellers. Then the adjourned motion was read, viza That a subscription be opened in the chamber of London for raising money to be given in bounties to fuch feamen and others as fhall voluntarily enter into his Majefty's fea-fervice: and debates having arifen, and the previous queftion having been moved by Mr Ald. Sawbridge, Mr Deputy Jones, the mover of the queftion, withdrew it.

The conduct of the city of London, (fays a writer in the London papers), in refufing at this time to affift in faving their country, because the prefent miniftry are at the helm, is fimilar to that of the owner of a houfe on fire, who will not aid in extinguishing the flames, because he has a diflike to the perfon who owns the water-engine!

The royal affent was given to the fol lowing bills:

To thefe, by commiffion, June 17. An act for granting to his Majefly seve ral additional duties on flamped vellum, parchment, and paper; and for better securing the flamp-duties upon indentures, leafes, deeds, and other inftruments. [334.]

An act for repealing the duties on all inhabited houfes, impofed by an act made in the loft feffion of parliament; and for grant. ing to his Majesty other duties upon all inhabited houfes in G. Britain, and for amending the faid act; and also for amending fo much of an att 17° Geo. III. as impoles a duty upon all fervants retained or employed in the feveral capacities therein mentioned. [332, 3-]

An act for raising a certain fum of mo ney, by loans or exchequer bills, for the fer vice of the year 1779.

An all for railing a further fum of money, by loans or exchequer-bilis, for the fervice of the year 1779.

An act for the further augmentation of the falaries of the puifne justices of the courts of king's bench and common pleas, and of the Barons of the Coif of the court of Exchequer, at Westminster.

An act for altering, amending, and enfacing, so much of an act 17° Geo. III. for granting to his Majefly certain duUL 2

sies on licences to be taken out by all perfons acting as auctioneers; and certain rates and duties on all lands, houses, goods, and other things, fold by auction; and upon indentures, leafes, bonds, deeds, and other inftruments, as relates to the method of granting licences to auctioneers, and to the collecting the duties on eftates and goods fold by auction. [332.]

An all for enlarging the times appointed for the meetings of commiffioners or trustees for putting in execution certain acts of this feffion of parliament.

An act for the more effectually preventing the pernicious practices of smuggling in this kingdom; and for indemnifying perfons who have been guilty of offences against the laws of the customs and excife, upon the terms therein mentioned.

An act to permit the removal of lime, and other articles necessary for the improvement of land, without cocquet or bond.

An act for continuing in the poffeffion of the United Company of Merchants of England_trading to the Eaft Indies, for a limited time, and under certain conditions, the territorial acquifitions and revenues late ly obtained in the East Indies; and for continuing, for a limited time, fo much of an att, 130 Geo. III. " for establishing cerzain regulations for the better management of the affairs of the Enft-India Company, as well in India as in Europe," as will expire in the courfe of the prefent year.

An act for the encouragement of feamen, and the more speedy and effectual manning his Majesty's navy.

Six bills concerning roads, &c. and thirteen private bills; none of which relate to Scotland. Of the laft there are three for diffolving marriages, and enabling the husbands to marry again, viz. the marriage of Henry Sealy with Ann Woodroffe,-Thomas Bailey Heath Sewell, Efq; with the Rt Hon. Lady Elifabeth Birmingham, and Charles Bromfield with Ann Broom.

To thefe, by commiffion, June 30. An act for enabling his Majefty to raife the fum of one million, for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.

dom; and for making certain provisions relative to the fencible men in that part of G.

Britain called Scotland.

An act for extending the provifions of an act 120 Geo. 1. to prevent frivolous and vexatious arrefts; and for other purposes.

An act to explain and amend the laws relating to the transportation, imprisonment, and other punishment, of certain offenders. And to one private bill.

And to thefe, by the King, July 3. An act for removing certain difficulties with respect to the more speedy and effectual manning of his Majesty's navy, for a limit ed time. [335.]

An act for augmenting the militia. And to one private bill; which does not relate to Scotland.

Of the private bills formerly paffed this feffion, viz. two, Dec. 16.; one, Dec. 24.; three, Feb. 9.; fixteen, March 16.; twenty-two, April 1.; thirty-nine, May 12.; and feven, May 31.-none relate to Scotland.- The laft of the seven passed May 31. is for diffolving the marriage of Francis Ofborne, Baron Ofborne, of Kiveton, in the county of York, commonly called Marquis of Carmarthen, [fon of the Duke of Leeds], with Lady Amelia D'Arcy, Baronels Conyers; and to enable him to marry a gain. When this bill was before the committee, a copy of the record of the damages recovered in the king's-bench, and the fentence of divorce pronounced in doctors commons Feb. 26. were produced; and the lady's criminality with Mr Byron was proved by the teftimonies of a woman and a man fervant.

On a narrative, "That feveral artifi cers and manufacturers, fubjects of G. Britain, have from time to time gone into foreign countries to exercife their feveral callings, contrary to the laws of thefe kingdoms," abstracts of two acts of parliament, (5° Geo. I. ch. 27. and 23 Geo. II. ch. 13.), to prevent fuch practices, were published in the London gazette of June 5. for the information of all perfons who may be ignorant of the penalties they may incur by disobodience to them.-Thefe abftracts our readers have feen already [29.661.].—The acts extend to thofe who are any wife concerned or inftrumental in the fending or enticing artificers or manufacturers out of thefe kingdoms, and in the exportaAn act to explain, amend, and render tion of the tools and inftruments used by more effectual, the feveral laws now in be- them, as well as to the artificers or maing, relative to the militia-forces of this king-nufacturers themselves.

An act for granting to his Majefly a certain fum of money out of the finking fund; and for applying certain monies therein mentioned for the fervice of the year 1779; and for further appropriating the Supplies granted in this feffion of parliament.

MAR

and Deaths

MARRIAGES.

June. In Ireland, Lord Forbes, eldest fon of the Earl of Granard, to Lady Selina Rawdon, fecond daughter of the Earl of

Moira.

9. At London, by a fpecial licence, Byron, a captain in the guards, and eldest foa of Admiral Byron, to Lady Amelia Conyers d'Arcy, daughter of the Earl of Holderneffe, and the lately divorced lady of the Marquis of Carmarthen. [340.]

10. At London, John Sportifwoode, Efq; younger of Spottiswoode, folicitor at London, to Mifs Strahan, daughter of William Strahan, Efq; his Majesty's printer.

18. At Stockport, Mr Richardson, aged 80, to Mifs Etchells, not 17.

18. John-James Hamilton, Efq; nephew and heir to the Earl of Abercorn, to Mifs Catharine Copley, fecond daughter of Sir Jofeph Copley, Bt, of Sprotborough in Yorkfhire.

19. At Nairne, Hugh Rofe, Efq; M. D. to Mifs Rofe, only daughter of the late Hugh Role of Kilravock, Efq;

BIRTH S.

May 8. At Czarfco Zelo, the Grand Duchefs of Ruffia, of a prince. The new-born Duke was baptized on Sunday the 16th, by the name of Conftantine. Lond. Gaz.

June. At Kettering, Northamptonshire, the wife of Ja. Garrat, a poor journeyman. weaver, of two girls and a boy, all healthy and likely to do well.

18. At Doonfide, Ayrshire, Mrs Crawford of Doonfide, of a daughter.

DEATH S.

At Pensacola, in April last, Col. Stuart, fuperintendant of Indian affairs.

April 10. At New York, Capt. Jordan of the Galatea frigate, an active officer. He had that day brought into port the famous pirate Cuningham.

In Ireland, fome time ago, in very diftreffed circumftances, the celebrated Mrs Rudd. [38. 52, 143.]

June 2. At Uttoxeter, Mifs Nangle. About two months ago, while this lady was amufing herself with a fpying-glafs, her cloaths were fet on fire by the rays of the fun reflecting an intense heat, which burnt her fo as to occafion her death.

In Ireland, in a very advanced age, Dr Michael Cox, Archbishop of Cathell.

7. At Glafgow, aged 76, Mr Robert Macnair, merchant in that city. [20. 697.] 8. At Mile-end, near London, in the 106th year of her age, Mrs Maria Grimes.

8. At Edinburgh, of a fhort illness, Archibald Lamont, Efq; younger of Knockdow, the young gentleman who was mar ried on the 13d of April. [221.]

At London, William Kenrick, LL. D. editor of the London Review, author of Falstaff's Wedding, and several other dra matic and poetic performances; and diftinguifhed among mathematicians for his extremely ingenious efforts to discover the perpetual motion. Dr Kenrick and Mr John Dietrick Muller waited on the Attorney-Ge neral on the 19th of May laft, the first with a reference from the court of chancery on a petition for a patent for the exclufive benefit of a discovery of a mechanical principle, of felf-motion, for the construction of machines which acquire a conftant supply of power from the action of gravity on themselves only; the latter, on a like reference, for the invention of a machine or engine conftructed on felf-moving principles. The AttorneyGeneral, on hearing the merits, was pleased to make his report in favour of both parties.

10. At Inveresk, Mrs Anderson of Tufhilaw.

11. At his palace at Gloucefter, in the 81ft year of his age, William Warburton, D. D. Bishop of Gloucester, author of the Divine Legation of Mofes, &c.

11. At Scotstown, Mifs Mary Ofwald, eldeft daughter of George Ofwald, Efq;

12. At Kinross, Bailie John Hutchison, tanner in that town.

13. At Edinburgh, Mrs Jean Tod, widow of Mr Tod late merchant in Edinburgh. 14. At Spring garden, near Edinburgh, Dr David Horseburgh, physician.

14. At Inverek, Mrs Macdougall, spouse of Alexander Macdougall, Efq; deputy-trea furer's remembrancer in exchequer.

15. At Tyning, Worcestershire, George Maxwell, Efq; brother to Mr Maxwell of Dalfwinton. He was requested by his children to shoot some small birds for a hawk they had in the garden; and as he was ramming down the fhot, by fome accident the piece went off, lodged the whole contents in his face, and killed him on the spot.

16. Sir Francis Bernard, Bt, of NetHe was bred to the tleham, Lincolnshire. law, and practifed at the bar for many years; was governor of Maffachufet's-bay at the time the ftamp-act was paffed; and on his return to England was created a Baronet, with peculiar marks of royal favour, April He is known among the literati as 5. 1769. editor of Alfop's Latin poems; and he published a select collection of his own letters. His fon, the prefent Baronet, has already diftinguished himself ingenioufly in the world

of letters.

17. At Gortuleg, Inverness-fhire, in the 82d year of his age, Thomas Frafer of Gortuleg, Efq;

17. At Bonytown, near Edinburgh, Mis Cruickshank, fpoufe to Mr Patrick Cruickthank, Efq; late of the island of St Vincent.

A